Canadian Pig Production Practices Survey Provides Data Needed for Future Efficiency Improvements

A scientist with the University of Manitoba says a survey of Canadian pork producers is providing the information that will assist in making further improvements in the efficiency of Canadian pork production and further reductions in the sectors environmental footprint.

The "Canadian Pig Production Practices Survey for Improved Economic and Environmental Viability," conducted by the University of Manitoba on behalf of Swine Innovation Pork, showed an across-the-board improvement in the efficiency of Canadian pork production and a reduction of the sector's environmental foot print over the past 30 years.

Dr. Mario Tenuta, the Senior Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Stewardship and a Professor of Soil Ecology with the University of Manitoba, says from 1990 to 2020 the amount of pork produced per kilogram of feed increased by a good eight to ten percent, the efficiency of water, electricity and fuel use improved and the sector's environmental footprint shrunk.

Quote-Dr. Mario Tenuta-University of Manitoba:

The information from the survey itself will be collated and made available for future modeling and analysis to project changes in efficiency and footprint based on scenarios.

So, if we change the diet even more or we change barn design, we go to renewable energy sources, modernise production as it continually does, what will be the impact?

We really did have a lack of data in Canada before this survey that actually asked the producers what does it take to produce pigs so we have that information.

That's really the starting point.I see this as being really positive that there's going to be a lot of use of the information, of the data, and then also to inform the public, producers, consumers, government about the improvements that have been done over the past 30 years and then also what gains can be made in the near future.

Dr. Tenuta applauds those producers who took the time to go through their data and complete the survey.